Obasanjo worsened Nigeria’s problem by imposing a sick man on us – Pastor Tunde Bakare

Frontline activist and Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Pastor Tunde Bakare, yesterday accused former President, Olusegun Obasanjo of worsening Nigeria’s problem through corruption in high places while he (Obasanjo) was in office.

The former vice presidential candidate stated this while speaking in Lagos as a guest lecturer during the 10th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium, organised by the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.

The event, with the theme, ‘Nigeria at centenary: A nation still in bondage?’ was chaired by former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami (rtd.).

In his lecture, Bakare said Obasanjo raised the bar of corruption to an unimaginable level.

He said, “Media was censored, outspoken critics were targeted and judicial decisions were subjected to executive interpretations. Meanwhile, Obasanjo himself raised the mountain of corruption to an unimaginable level.

“As apathy set in among the electorate, General Obasanjo, indignant that he could not foist third term agenda on Nigeria, imposed sick president on the nation through a fraudulent election, I beg your pardon, selection, overseen by Prof. Maurice Iwu.”

He said Obasanjo’s supposed achievement in office had no significant impact on the people’s lives.

Bakare, who expressed support for “a people-driven” national conference, said the atmosphere of abundance created when Obasanjo assumed office in 1999, provided a breeding ground for personal aggrandisement across government levels.

The founder of Latter Rain Assembly further noted that, “The aura of abundance provided the breeding ground for personal aggrandisement as politicians, from the Presidency to the state and local government, helped themselves with the nation’s resources.

“Then, complacency set in as General Obasanjo, satisfied with his supposed achievements, which however did not reflect significantly in the living condition of the average Nigerian, sought to perpetuate himself in power and so unleashed the machinery of state against perceived enemies among the political class.”

“Justice Ayo Salami is a victim of defective federal structure,” Bakare said, while responding to questions after his lecture.